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"Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Thomas Fitzwilliam Bennet Darcy, the heir of Pemberley," said Elizabeth, with cheeks as round and rosy as to match that of the infant cradled in her arms. "Mr. Tom, this is your Aunt Viola and Aunt Georgiana, come to see how you're getting on."
I stood close to the bundle of blankets, and peered at the red little face, and was satisfied in seeing his eyes, the colour of which was undoubtedly inherited from his mother, observing me carefully in return.
"Mr. Tom, I am sure I shall be glad to make your acquaintance," I said softly to him, and laughed as I saw his little face break into an amused smile.
"He must like you already," said Elizabeth admiringly. "Tom is such a bright, beautiful and quick baby. He recognizes people so readily."
"He is a blessing," I said, letting his sturdy hands grab my finger. "Babies like these makes every woman envy motherhood."
"Your time will come," my sister-in-law replied.
I looked up as Elizabeth said this, and started a bit to see my brother staring intently at me. Something was on his mind, and if I was not wrong, it was concerning Captain Denny's letter.
"I must not monopolize Mr. Tom's attentions," I said lightly. "He is anxious to meet his other aunt, I'm afraid, so I must make room." I nodded at Georgiana to take my place, and stealthily, I met Fitz.
My brother quietly gestured at me to follow him to his study, and I did, trying to prepare a speech which he might require me to make, but to my surprise, when he closed the door gently after me, he wordlessly indicated for me to sit down, and neither attempted to begin, nor to make any hints of beginning.
"Something is on your mind," I said, as I watched him pace about the room. He stopped just as I finished my sentence, and turned to look at me with a studying look, as though he were trying to decipher the answer of a puzzle he might find in my demeanour.
"Undoubtedly," Fitz said hesitantly. "You must know the cause for it."
"I think-I believe I might know the reason, but I cannot be certain until you have expressed yourself explicitly."
My brother stood silently for a moment, staring out the window. When he seemed to have gathered his thoughts, he came and sat down directly in front of me.
"I received a letter, not many hours before your arrival," Fitz began. "The sender was a gentleman by the name of Denny." He watched my expression intently as he continued. "As to the subject of his discourse, you can entertain no doubts, for his words indicated to me that the subject had been generally well discussed between the two of you."
I blushed, and allowed him to continue.
"Now, I comprehend, from Captain Denny's letter, what his feelings might be, but I have not yet heard from you. I wish to understand your position in this thoroughly." He pulled out the letter from his pocket. "Naturally, the initial shock of reading this has not entirely worn off, thus I must hear it from you, a confirmation of the truth."
"Do you doubt what he has written?" I asked.
"He accounts of your first meeting two years ago, and of the subsequent meetings, in Hertfordshire, in Bath, and in London. He has written in a very orderly fashion, and he has certainly taken great care in writing this epistle, but still, by all consideration, it is his account. I ask that the confirmation of this come from you. As your brother, who has looked after your welfare for so long, I believe I ought to be entitled at least to your utterance of the truth, that I might satisfy myself." He handed the letter to me to peruse.
After a moment, I handed the letter back to him and nodded. "All that he writes is true."
"Then, may I ask, why have you taken the liberty to engage yourself to a man whom you have hardly known? You know so little about him, for in all instances, you have but met him in public places. In Bath, in London, where chances of meeting with him were much greater, such meetings all took place in, shall I call it, an artificial atmosphere. You could not have understood his character fully without first observing his interaction with his own people, in his own home."
"The good of his character has been attested by many, and from his conduct in both in public, and in small circles, I believe that his character must be good and true. I have had time to know him more than you can suppose."
"And what of his disposition, his circumstances? Your way of living will be greatly reduced upon marrying him."
"I hope I am not so extravagant as to regret it. It is not a constant life of riches and wealth which I seek."
"But you must know the difficulties of leading a comfortable life as an officer's wife. You will be required to travel much."
"But to travel by his side," I defended, "would be all the pleasure I ask for. It will only be the short separations which I dislike."
"I am to give you my approval, then," said Fitz. "This is the answer that you have both been hoping to receive from me."
"It is what we hope for. You have been my brother, and in many instances, my guardian, and I respect you greatly. It would make us happy if we knew we met with your approval."
Fitz turned away. "I have written to him, but I have not yet given him my answer," he said. "You see, I simply cannot accept every young man who 'applies for Miss Darcy's hand' by letter."
"That is exactly what Captain Denny had expected, but he could not have been so bold as to impose his presence here without an invitation, when he has hardly been in your acquaintance. Under our present situation, I could not yet be at liberty to invite him to Pemberley as my guest."
"In my letter," responded my brother, "I have extended my invitation to him. He will come and spend the Christmas here with us. That way, I may be able to observe and deduce, for myself, his character, and satisfied, I will grant him an interview. You may think on it as a kind of probation. He shall be in his best behaviour."
"And Captain Denny will make no pretense of it," I said calmly. "There is no reason why he should have to exert himself to be in his best behaviour when he is consistently conducting himself well."
After a few more minutes of talk, Fitz dismissed me, and I left, relieved that I had made my case known to my brother at last.
The Bennets were the first of the guests to arrive for Christmas. Their entrance was darkened by the sullen sighs of Mary Bennet, heralded by the boisterous voice of Mrs. Bennet, dazzled by the ready wit of her husband, and capped by the sparkle of Kitty. The latter was more than ready to take up our friendship where we had last left off earlier, and we spent an entire day discussing all that we had done-I omitting Captain Denny, and she, I suspect, omitting Mr. Clarence of Kympton.
Luckily, good spirits did not end with her. Mary, who had been quite irritable at the remembrance of leaving her books behind, was finally brought round to better humour after I engaged her in a lengthy discussion of philosophy, and promised her access to the Pemberley library.
"I am glad to find you so sensible," said Mary. "I was beginning to fear that you might not be."
I tried to hide my smile and look as serious as possible. "Thank you, Mary. I always consider such comments to be compliments to both listener and speaker."
"It is always a benefit to the fairer sex that we learn to retain our sense and wisdom," preached Mary. "There will come a time when the other half of the population may turn towards us, and then our prudence must be the means of curing them of their faults."
"Oh, if you will only cure Mary of her books," cried Mrs. Bennet, upon hearing this, "I would be most grateful to you, Miss Darcy. I am always telling her that no one cares for her books, but she doesn't listen."
"It does prove that at least Mary can find diversion independently for herself," I said.
"Yes, but it is all very vexing that she should refuse to go out more often and dance with the other young men. When Mr. Bennet dies, and the Collins turn us out of Longbourn, I don't know what I shall ever do with Mary, and her books all day long."
"You will have me to keep you company," Kitty reminded her.
"Mrs. Bennet stared. "Nonsense! Why do you speak such nonsense? Of course you will be married to one of the officers before then. One of them was asking after you before we left for Derbyshire."
"But I don't wish to marry an officer," Kitty protested.
"And what is wrong with marrying a red coat?" asked Mrs. Bennet. "I can remember a time when I quite fancied one myself. If one of the officers proposed to you, you would turn them down? What a pretty business that would be-for the Collins will take such delight in turning me and two daughters out of Longbourn. I know that Lady Lucas must gloat about it every day over at the lodge."
Mr. Bennet, who overheard this exchange, smiled sarcastically. "Mrs. Bennet," he said, "You cannot blame Kitty for her tastes. It is a wise thing that she doesn't fall for an officer, or she may turn out as senseless as her youngest sister. We may not meet with another Mr. Darcy to help us through."
"Lydia is not a silly girl. I will not have you abuse your own daughter in this manner," his wife exclaimed.
"Perhaps you do not see her as silly, but that is because she takes so much after you."
Mrs. Bennet was irritated. "How you do take delight in vexing my poor nerves. You have no compassion for them, do you, to tease them so continually for more than seven-and-twenty years."
Her husband laughed. "Do not work yourself up into tears, my dear, it is not very becoming. I've had a great respect for your nerves since I first became acquainted with them. You can depend upon it, I intend to live for many years yet-perhaps even to outlive you. You can console yourself on that note, that you shall never have to worry about the Collins turning you out of Longbourn, or of Lady Lucas, at the lodge, gloating over you."
Hiding an urge to laugh, I turned my attentions back to Mary and asked whether she took an interest in anything else. Music, for instance? I mentioned that I remembered she played the pianoforte, but I did not add aloud that she could not sing.
Mary's face broke into an eager smile. "Oh, I like to play very much. I have been practising the Largo, by Handel, and it is such a sadly beautiful song. I shall play it for you, if you'd like."
"No, no," I said, hiding my alarm from my voice. "I mean, it would be a great benefit now, that there is more than one pianist here, we may play duets and trios together." Secretly, I intended to persuade Georgiana to give Mary a little hint in music, without Mary's knowledge of actually being taught anything, so that she might return to Longbourn, a truly accomplished woman of music.
Georgiana took my cue, and leading Mary to her pianoforte, my sister showed her some songs that they might try together. Mary was soon occupied completely with learning the notes, and Georgiana, very gamely, humoured her.
"How is London at this time of year, Miss Darcy?" asked Mrs. Bennet, who had now recovered herself sufficiently from her husband's remarks. "I hear from Elizabeth that you were in town. It must be a sorry thing that you must miss out on Christmas in town."
"Suffice to say, I do miss some of the revelry, but home is where I wish to be at most during this time of year," I answered with a smile. "Pemberley beckoned to me, and I followed her calls hither."
Mrs. Bennet went on. "My sister, Mrs. Philips-I think you have met her, her husband is an attorney in Meryton, and one of the finest in his profession-was just saying the same thing. She prefers to be much at home rather than elsewhere during Christmas. How we talked of the old days. You know, I am a Gardiner by birth, and all Gardiners are excellent in the respect of throwing festivities for the entire family. I cannot think on a better time when I had spent such exciting Christmases."
Silently, I wondered whether she had been pleased because of the presence of red coats.
Her husband had also been struck with humour upon hearing his wife's declaration. "Yes, Mrs. Bennet, but I suppose you will phrase it more delicately. I do not know whether your children would like to hear that you prefer Christmases from your childhood more than the Christmases you spent in the comforts of Longbourn, with all five of your daughters devotedly clinging to you."
"Oh, Mr. Bennet!" Mrs. Bennet cried. "How you take delight in vexing me. You know that I don't mean anything ill by what I said. Besides, we have always had to go to Meryton for the Christmas balls, and that you know, is looked on quite highly by the neighbouring county. Why would not anyone in that case wish to be young again, and to dance all night? I would give much to live through that again."
"So that is the tragedy, isn't it, that 'youth's a stuff will not endure'?" Mr. Bennet loosely quoted. He chuckled quietly to himself, pleased with his own wit.
"Has anyone the intention of skating at the pond?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked abruptly from his corner of the room, where he had been surprisingly quiet. "As soon as it has freezed over, skating at the pond will be a delightful exercise."
Kitty was eager. "I long to skate," she said. "I have only tried it but once. Is it very hard? I don't own any skates. Do you think it would be very difficult to find a pair?"
"You have nothing to worry about," I assured her with a laugh. "There are plenty of skates in one of the storage rooms, that I am sure of; and I lack much the skill to balance and glide at the same time, so we can both cling to each other once on ice."
"Why do we not make it a skating party then?" asked Colonel Fitzwilliam. "We can all go. And I am sure, that when Darcy returns, we may make him agree to the plan. I have a great affinity for skating."
"For my part, I have never seen much of the use of skating," said Mary in a tone of gravity. "I can never see how it quite suits our delicacy."
"You shall like it immensely once you have tried," my sister answered solemnly, and I silently praised her for her patience. "You would like it as soon as you have placed those skates around your boots, and stepped on to the ice."
There was much talk of the skating expedition, but no actual plans were made until some weeks later because the arrival of Pemberley's other guests was enough to occupy our minds.
Jane, Mr. Bingley, and Caroline Bingley, I found to be much the same as before. Mr. Bingley was the cheery, jovial man that I had always known him to be, and his wife was as sweet in temper as I had expected. She greeted me with an air of goodness that I could not have anticipated to find in any other person. So patient was she in bearing with Elizabeth's accounts of the birth of Tom, and her mother's constant self-bemoaning that I was surprised to see Jane still in good spirits at the end of the day.
Her sister-in-law was unfortunately not improved since we had last met. Caroline was as distant and cold as ever, taking delight in all things that showed her to be in some respect superior to the rest of us. To be sure, she took great pains to be charming and winning towards Georgiana and Jane, and even offered some civility to Elizabeth, but she never failed to greet me with the cynicism that was now nearly her second nature. I suppose she never forgave me for not aiding her in her mad pursuit of Fitz, and that she would like to avenge the wrong I had done unto her.
Revenge came swiftly with the arrival of Captain Denny. No sooner had he settled in with the company--under excuse of being invited by Colonel Fitzwilliam--Caroline Bingley was quick to make her opinion known to me.
Overtaking me in the gallery, she remarked innocently at the portrait of Elizabeth, still not yet a year old.
"It seems the artists has captured Mrs. Darcy's fine eyes," she said. "What think you of it? The shape and colour are very like."
"Yes. My brother was sure to hire the best painter for the job, and when he can be sought out once more, a portrait of little Tom will soon hang in its honorary place between his parents."
Miss Bingley titled her head, as if in thought. "I can see that Mr. Darcy is still very much in love. That is quite contrary to what often happens, you know, after a year of marriage. Men, I believe, are wont to stray."
"I do not think that such a thing happens as readily as you will make it out to be. I do not dare to say that it does not happen, but I would loath to think there is a great frequency to such disgrace."
Caroline Bingley cast me a feigned smile. "No doubt, that is what you would like to believe, especially as you have settled on Captain Denny."
"What ever do you mean?" I asked, hiding my surprise. The news of our engagement could not have gotten round to her so quickly, when only Fitz, the captain and I were aware of it.
"Oh, you will pretend to be ignorant of it," Miss Bingley observed. "Let me commend you on that note, even though the general thought of your peculiar engagement quite serves as a curiosity to me."
"A curiosity that does not deserve any speculations," I said firmly. "Do not indulge yourself in what you would have merely supposed, and do not know for a fact."
Miss Bingley was not so easily quieted. "If I were you, I would be careful in fixing my hopes on him. Consider it as a sort of life investment. I am sure the captain must think of you in that light, or I would be a simpleton indeed to suppose that he is not sensible of the merit of your thirty-thousand pounds."
"You need not waste another breath, if all you hope to achieve is my displeasure. I can heartily assure you that when you associate Captain Denny's intentions with my mother's legacy, you are severely misinformed of his character."
"I do not pretend to be in knowledge of his character, but I only take a stance which any sensible person would take. What is he to the world? He may be a 'captain', but in the end, he is but a soldier. Does he presume to think that he can climb up the social order in marrying a Darcy?" The woman laughed at the thought. "I am sorry to have given you pain, but pardon me, it was most kindly meant."
"Your pains will be repaid, one time or another," I grimaced. At that lucky moment, Colonel Fitzwilliam rounded the corner and greeted us, conveniently freeing me from the further clutches of Caroline Bingley.
If Captain Denny's intentions were questioned by Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley, I felt ill to think who else would. I knew him too well to think that he could have any mercenary designs in proposing to me, but I wondered if, with persistence and time, these insinuations could not poison anyone's affections for one's bethrothed.
Mr. Clarence came to call on Christmas Eve, and Fitz convinced him to stay for supper. An undeniably large party we had assembled at the table, but it was very nearly the first Christmas in a long time when Pemberley has such a large, warm company.
"What do you think of Mr. Clarence?" Mrs. Bennet asked me. "He is a perfect gentleman, is he not?"
I nodded, watching him speak with Kitty. The girl seemed even more jubilant and animated than before. I wondered what they could be discussing. "Yes," I said, "Mr. Clarence is very well liked, both in Kympton, and wherever he goes."
"What a fine thing for my girls," sighed Mrs. Bennet. "Perhaps he will fall in love with Mary, and then help Kitty to find a husband afterwards."
"Mary?" I repeated in alarm. Quickly, I lowered my voice. "I do not believe the thought has entered his mind."
"Ah, but I have watched how he spoke of sermons and the bible with Mary. See, he is now conversing with Kitty, perhaps in the hopes of securing her help in winning Mary's affections."
I had never heard of anything so absurd. "I think I can assure you," I said to Mrs. Bennet, "That Mr. Clarence may have settled his attentions instead on Kitty. Judging from their acquaintance, I think I can safely say it without error."
Mrs. Bennet's eyes grew round. "Oh dear me, no, I certainly hope not. I have half a mind to tell him that it must not be so. Of course he must have Mary instead. If even a clergyman won't have her, no one will, you know."
There was no reasoning with her, and the place and time was just not right to discuss such a matter, so I left the thought of Mary to mercy and ceased to pursue the topic.
I chatted a little with Jane, and she told me delightfully of the things she had seen during the summer, when she and Mr. Bingley had been touring the Lakes.
"I have never travelled much," she explained, "And so, all the things I saw mesmerized me. I am sure I must sound so very ordinary to you."
"No, no," I said, shaking my head. "Your descriptions help me to see those scenes in a new light. There is nothing more enlightening than being able to view something from a different angle than one is often accustomed to."
There was a moment of silence.
"There is something bothering you?" asked Jane, as if quickly sensing my thoughts beneath my words. "Remember what I said to you in town earlier this year? I was in earnest when I told you I could be of help, if you ever needed me."
I thanked her. "I know what an angel you are. You are truly worth more than you know it."
"I've always felt I owed something to you," explained Jane, "--since my illness, at Netherfield, and your kindness. It made everything so much more bearable, and since then, I've always felt a kind of link to you. I also know that my husband esteems you nearly as much as he esteems Mr. Darcy."
"That is very flattering." I smiled and looked down at my hands. "I do not think I quite deserve that praise. But in time, should there be something I wish to express, but which I can confide in no one, I shall take up your offer and turn to you."
The rest of the evening was spent in the singing of carols and the recitation of stories. Captain Denny sang a surprisingly good baritone, which made me wonder what other surprises I did not yet know concerning him.
On Saturday morning, we found ourselves packed in a troupe of open carriages, all on route to the Pemberley pond. Although the distance was not so very great to walk, from the house to the pond, Mrs. Bennet, with her incessant pattering, was finally obliged by my brother's fatigue and wearing patience.
"Oh, only think of it," said Mrs. Bennet, snuggling closely beside me, as Kitty, Mrs. Bennet Mr. Bennet, Mary, Colonel Fitzwilliam and I were sharing the same carriage. Mrs. Bennet sighed in contentment. "I never thought I would ever have such a chance as this, to ride in an open carriage, with the Darcy crest in full blaze for everyone to see."
"It is but a painted coat of arms," Kitty kindly reminded her mother.
Her mother was displeased to hear this. "Phoo-what do you know of coat of arms, Kitty? They form an important part of the prestige. Do not pretend to put on airs with your mother, when you have only been here once more than me."
Kitty frowned. "I only meant to tell the truth."
"The truth is that we are quite near the pond already," broke in Colonel Fitzwilliam at the gracious time. He casted me a smile. "Well, well, Viola, you may try on your skates, and see how you fare once more." My cousin jumped out of the carriage, and like a perfect gentleman, proceeded in handing each of us out, including Mr. Bennet. This gesture naturally amused the old gentleman, who did not fail in remarking with his usual wit,
"Thank you, Sir, you are very kind. What a well bred man you are."
There was a hint of sarcasm in his words, as he darted a sideways glance to his oblivious wife, and I buried a smile behind my gloved hand.
Mrs. Bennet, unfortunately, was at her very worst sort of chattering mood, and nothing seemed to beguile her into a moment's peace.
"I think," she said to me confidently as I bent down to tie on my skates, "That I might have Kitty married off yet to an officer. Look at Captain Denny over there. He is attentively helping her, is he not?"
"The captain is a faultless gentleman," I said, humouring her. "He is attentive to anyone who requires his assistance."
Mrs. Bennet gave me a confidential nod of the head. "Yes, and I do not doubt that something will come of this. Oh, ah, there he is, helping her up now."
I looked accordingly in Kitty's direction, and saw her tentatively stepping on to the ice. Captain Denny was at her side, but that was only expected. He looked up just in time to see me watching him, and he smiled. I waved.
"The captain is infinitely pleased with himself," continued Mrs. Bennet, not having noticed what I had done. "He is all smiles in such company."
"Come, Mrs. Bennet," I said, turning my attention back to her. I extended my hand to her. "I claim no proficiency at this sport, but I can try my best to accompany you on the ice." Thus I successfully got Mrs. Bennet on her feet.
In a few minutes, we were gliding precariously round the edge of the rink, while Jane and her husband naturally began to pick up their pace. I also noticed that Caroline Bingley was having the greatest time of her life. To her glee, she was naturally talented on skates, and made no attempts to hide her forte.
"Miss Darcy, I am all surprise to see you struggle so," said Miss Bingley nearing me as I made my third circle round the ice. "I thought, with your many resources, you would adapt easily to this sport."
"My sense of balance is not so strong as yours, I'm afraid," I said, giving her due credit.
"Well, you may be sure, you are not the only one to falter. Only look at Miss Kitty Bennet-see how she clings to your captain's arm?" said the odious woman with a sly smile on her face.
I did not know why her expression angered me, since I ought to know her well enough to withstand her puncturing words. Nevertheless, I lashed out quickly, "You mistaken-he is not my captain."
"How astonishing! Imagine what I have assumed this entire time! Well, that is one good piece of news for Mrs. Bennet, I dare say, for she is eager to have her daughter married off today, if she had her way." Miss Bingley laughed, and skated a fair distance away, only to return with Mrs. Bennet at her elbow.
"I thought this might be good company for you, Mrs. Bennet," said Miss Bingley. "Believe me, I have had such a time missing your conversations. Do let me have some share in it now."
Mrs. Bennet looked pleased by this unprecedented generosity (though I knew it to be nothing but a mean joke on Miss Bingley's part), and began to compliment "dear Miss Bingley" for her kindness. Soon enough, the object of Miss Bingley's friendliness became known, as it did not take long for Mrs. Bennet to be drawn into the discussion of her daughters' marital affairs. Soon, she went on and on about the entailment of Longbourn, the Collins' "baseness", Lady Lucas' "schemes", and her two maiden daughters. Clearly, the idea of uniting her daughter with a captain of the army was much too appealing an inspiration for her to so easily resist; unhappily, she would speak on it again and again, that at times, in moments of her excitement, I blushed for her loud voice, and hoped earnestly that no one else but Miss Bingley and I had heard it.
"You know, I have the perfect idea," said Caroline Bingley loudly, audible enough for the others to hear and turn around to us in interest. "Mrs. Bennet, your talk has been so diverting that I think we ought to all share our own little tales and stories, and see how well we may each amuse the other."
"I think we ought not to," I said quietly. I slipped, and clutched quickly onto her. She smirked.
"As Miss Darcy withdraws from telling us any witty tales, I shall proceed," she said confidently.
"Oh, I have many witty tales to tell, when you have finished," said Mrs. Bennet excitedly.
"Yes," I interrupted Mrs. Bennet, greatly vexed, "But take care that others also find them witty." As soon as the words fell out of my mouth, I blushed madly, angry at myself for having said such an uncharitable thing. What had possessed me?
For a moment, no one said anything, until Miss Bingley began to giggle, which infected the rest into laughter. Mrs. Bennet, who had noticed no wrong in my words, laughed heartily along with her companion. I excused myself, and clumsily got off the ice. In frustration, I sat down in the snow, tearing my skates off my boots.
As I struggled with a knot, I felt someone approach, and upon looking up, it was Captain Denny. He looked at me with solemnly, and watched wordlessly as I freed the laces. He suggested a walk back to the carriage, which I agreed to with a nod of my head.
"Why did you say that, Viola?" he asked me quietly.
"Say what?" I returned innocently.
"There's no use hiding it. You know what I mean-your insult to Mrs. Bennet."
I swallowed. "I don't think what I said hurt her at all. She laughed as hard at it as the others."
"Viola-She felt it. Only the friendly laughter of Bingley and his wife saved her from humiliation."
I bit my lower lip and refused to answer.
"Perhaps you think she deserved it. Yes, I admit, all the things that she uttered today would try even the patience of an angel, but out of consideration for a woman in her situation, you ought to have behaved with more tact and sensitivity, as required by your station."
"I suppose now, you will tell me it was all 'badly done'," I said, trying to hide my irritation at being scolded by him. "I do not need you to tell me that I have done wrong. I felt it as soon as I'd said it, and I couldn't take those words back. You needn't flaunt your sense of righteousness at me, as though you were faultless."
Captain Denny, whom I had never seen angry, now looked positively as irate as I felt. "I never said that I was faultless. In fact, I've told you many times that I'm quite the opposite. But even supposing I were as perfect as you accuse me to be, I believe you have the right to be kindly reminded of what you owe to Mr. Darcy. His wife's mother may not be the most pleasant company in England, and she may be of an inferior rank to you, but she is still your elder, and as a guest in your brother's house, she ought to be treated with more respect than you have just shown her. Your words have grieved me greatly."
I flushed angrily. "Thank you, then, for your kindly reminder. Of course, you show your superiority well. In the future, Captain David Jones Denny, you need not attach yourself to someone of such inferior character, such as myself, if it will cause you so much grief."
"What ever do you mean?"
I took a deep breath. "I release you."
He was stunned. "You release me...?"
"Yes." I looked away. "I release you of our engagement. I think it would be best. I do not think it is fair to keep up this engagement for obvious reasons. I am head-strong, and express myself most ill towards my elders, and I am too stubborn to take reasoning from you, and I believe it would be best in the end if you found someone else who would not incense you because of her conduct."
For the first time, he swore (although under his breath), and looking intently at me, he said, "Viola, this is very serious. It is not a matter to be lightly discussed."
"I do not speak in jest," I cried. "Think of when we first formed our engagement, think of the time from then until now. I have been very happy, and yet, not very happy. Clearly, I think we were too rash when we decided things for ourselves so hastily at my aunt's house. What would people think of you marrying me? They will think you have done it for my inheritance, for goodness' sake. Miss Bingley tells me as much. And that I should endure all this continual talk of you being more fit to choose some other woman but me-" I broke off, unable to continue.
His expression softened immediately. "Miss Bingley? What do you care of Miss Bingley? I do not understand the cause of it, but I do know that she dislikes me, and even more so, dislikes you. She was the one who once led me to believe, upon me first time in Hertfordshire, that you did not wish to see me. She was the one who insinuated I pursued you for your wealth. Do you think her object is any different now, in confronting you? No, indeed not."
"Nevertheless, I release you of your obligations to me," I answered. "If one Miss Bingley can think of this, society will think worse."
"What do you care of society?"
I tried to answer, and found I could not.
Captain Denny brushed a hand through his hair, deep in thought. "No, this will not do at all, I see it won't. We cannot wait any longer for your brother to pass his decision. I cannot bear to see the sort of influence Miss Bingley has on you. My silence has only hurt us, not aided us. I will speak with Mr. Darcy immediately upon returning to the house, and beg that he grant me his interview as immediately as possible."
I looked at him incredulously, and his expression softened some more. "Oh, come, Viola," he said. "You did not think I was angry with you? I was angry at what drove you to do something so apart from your nature, not at you."
"Though I did say some very impertinent things," I replied.
"I like your impertinence." Captain Denny handed me into the carriage, "so long as it does not threaten to come between us again."
"Pardon me," said Mrs. Reynolds, standing by the door of the drawing room, where I had been practising, "Mr. Darcy asks to speak with you in his study."
I complied, following her down the wing. My brother's door stood ajar, and knocking hesitantly, I entered.
"Do sit down," said Fitz, looking up from his papers.
"You are not finishing up business over Christmas, are you?" I asked, looking at the documents on his table.
Hurriedly, he stacked them into a pile and locked them inside his drawer.
"You know why I have sent for you," he asked, folding his hands together. "I spoke with Captain Denny. He has given some answers which have satisfied my query."
I was relieved. "Your proposed 'probation' time for him is over then?"
"Yes, his 'probation' is over, but not until you have given your answer one last time." Here, Fitz looked at me in full concentration. "Viola, I hold a great respect for your character. I have never once had to fear for your well-being, because by some lucky chance, you never had to suffer. That, I believe, is one of the greatest things you have claims to."
"What are you trying to say, Fitz?" I prompted him with a laugh.
"I mean very seriously, that I do not hope that the unfortunate event in Georgiana's past does not go repeated in your life. Are you very certain, in all due respects, that you love him, that you have not deceived yourself by the glamour of his career, or the idea of being in love with an officer?"
"That is an absurd idea and deserves much ridicule," I exclaimed. "You know me too well than to suppose that."
"Very well." Fitz closed his eyes for a moment before ringing for Mrs. Reynolds again. Once the good housekeeper entered, Fitz asked that Captain Denny be sent for. Mrs. Reynolds nodded, casting me a look of concern and curiosity, before leaving. Needless to say, I was anxious to know why Fitz required such mystery in order to give us his approval, which I could not doubt he was about to make. Why employ such pomp? It was so out of his disposition to adopt such airs.
When Captain Denny and I were side by side, looking back at my brother in bewilderment, Fitz revealed everything to us.
"Captain Denny," said Fitz. "You have shown yourself to be sincere in your feelings for my sister. Are you certain that you will make her happy? You promise to never give her any source of regret in your alliance?"
"I will do all that can satisfy your wishes, in placing her happiness first, above me own," said Captain Denny solemnly.
Fitz turned to me. "Viola, you, too, have told me that you do indeed return his feelings. You have not changed your position?"
"No, I have not."
Fitz paused, reflecting this to himself.
"The piece of news which I must present to you may change that," my brother said at last. "Pardon me, but I believe it will change the circumstances considerably."
"What news?" I asked.
"Concerning you." Fitz stopped again.
"If it is something that we both have a right to know," said Captain Denny sensibly, "Will you not acquaint us with it immediately, and spare us such suspense?"
Fitz passed a hand over his brow, as if his piece of news was not at all something which he wished to communicate to us. "There is some difficulties in this. You see, it makes me feel as though I'm confronting a lie which I've lived with, in telling you the truth."
I did not like the sound of that.
"Fitz," I prodded gently. "As you are my brother, I shall not blame you for whatever it is you wish to reveal now, for I know it would have been out of your concern for my well-being that you ever hid anything. Your consideration for me has always demonstrated what a dear brother you truly are."
Fitz's voice became lowered, his words hesitant. "Well, you do not understand the difficulty of this--because it would appear to be that this is the very lie--"
He paused, forcing himself to look up at us, his face, for once, pale and haggard.
"--Viola, you are not a Darcy by blood. You are not my sister."
"You are not my sister".
Not knowing how to react, I hurriedly stood up, and walked over to the mantelpiece, upon which I laid my hands in order to steady myself. Captain Denny, who had followed me, tried to comfort me with an embrace, but I shook him away.
"No, leave me be," I said in warning. "Please let me alone for a moment."
Captain Denny accordingly stepped back, and I turned my attention back on Fitz.
"Will you," I said, containing my emotions the best I could, "look at me solemnly in the eye, and repeat those words to me?" I looked up at Fitz, waiting for his answer.
"You heard me rightly the first time, and we are in no need to hear it repeated a second time, seeing how it affects you," said Fitz.
"Oh, do you imply that you would not be affected, if you were told you were not Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley?" I retorted. I bit my lower lip after this outburst in order to compose myself.
"Forgive me," replied Fitz, not at all regretfully.
"I-cannot help but feel-as though this is all a lie." I struggled to push down the sobs that threatened to rise from my chest. I saw Fitz stare at me in some surprise.
"You may feign astonishment," I addressed him, "but I have never once thought, never been given the hint, that I was not a Darcy, and you, of all people, had as little right to hide it from me for so many years, as you have little right now to burst out the truth to me in this fashion. Today should have been one of the happiest days of my life."
"I would have told you at a better time," said Fitz, in an attempt to excuse himself.
"How long would you have preferred to wait? Would you have waited if I had not told you I was to be married? Do you mean to ruin my happiness by telling me that all the years I have spent in the warmth of this family, was all a fiction? Am I truly not the daughter your father Mr. Darcy, and your mother, Lady Anne Darcy?"
Fitz did not soften his aspect. "You are the natural daughter of Lady Anne Darcy's young, unmarried maid at her cottage. My mother, as you have been often told, took her lying in with her second child at her cottage in _____shire. There, she took pity on your mother, one of her servants working at the cottage. When my true sister was born, and died, in the same day, my mother adopted you, a mere infant, and we took you in as our own."
"Yes, but I see from your aspect now that you do not truly consider me as one of your own. All these years in which I have-unwittingly posed myself as a Darcy, they have all been part of a greater falsehood!"
Fitz looked at me with a sort of severity that I had once seen him use on Elizabeth during the first days of their acquaintance. "Well, since you will divulge so incessantly on the matter of falsehoods made against you, I shall come clean with the truth directly," he said. "Yes, you are right again in guessing that I wished to withhold this piece of news until you were at least married, but that was in the days when I supposed you would become the wife of a well to do gentleman. You cannot tell me that Captain Denny is such a man."
"I take offence in that, Mr. Darcy," said Captain Denny. "My aunt left me quite well provided for, and I always have my career, on which I can rely some comfort."
Fitz cast him a cold glance. "But what can your comfort be in comparison to that which is owed to Viola? We must look at the reality harshly in the face. Your career is not one which shall yield to much."
"But Viola has never objected to it," said Captain Denny resolutely. "When we made our promise to each other, I made it clear to her that her life may not always be as it has been, but she assured me that she had no objections to it."
"I wished for Viola to marry well," Fitz rebutted, "to marry within the station that she was brought up in, to a man who could provide for her with as much an agreeable situation as I could provide for her. I will not approvingly resign her to a substantially reduced situation now, and that is what will happen should she marry you. You know that Viola cannot expect to collect any of the legacy left by Lady Anne Darcy, since she is not her natural daughter?"
"And may I inquire as to why I cannot?" I interrupted. "Am I not named in her will, along with Georgiana, as I have always been told?" As soon as I uttered this, I weakened. My better judgement now told me that just as my birth had been concealed from me, so too had been my true standing in terms of collecting my mother's legacy. "Then what-" I asked, faltering a bit, "-how have I been enabled to spend my-the money-as I have?"
His answer was direct. "By the annual allowance I have set aside for you since my father passed away. I provided for you."
"I had hoped," continued Fitz, "that you would make an equal match for yourself. Then, I could break the news to you, without changing your financial situation in the least. But it is not to be so any longer. Captain Denny wishes to marry you, and I find you share these sentiments. You cannot expect me, then, to console you, or to mislead you further. I apologize for the wrong which you might feel at the present moment, but as to taking away the truth of your birth, I cannot."
Captain Denny, with his eyes as bright as though lit by some strange fire within him, stopped Fitz from continuing.
"Your true intention in giving us this news," said Captain Denny, "Can only be a malignant one." Though the captain dared not approach me again, he directed his gaze at me, and our eyes met as he spoke to Fitz. "Mr. Darcy's intention in making this revelation can only be to break our engagement, by showing the impossibility of it occurring. Well, I say it is not impossible. It is not a dowry that I want. It is a companion, a friend by my side for the rest of my life. It is a wife that I want. And she is standing here before me. I know her, I know her character, her heart-and even if her name and disposition are not what they could have been, well, so much the better! I shall never feel as though I were putting Viola at a disadvantage by marrying her." With his eyes still shining brightly, he continued to look steadily at me. "Mr. Darcy's blessing is immaterial to me. If you have no objections to having me, Viola, as your husband, common as I am, everything that is mine is yours from this moment forward."
He may not have spoken to me in verse and sonnets, but Captain Denny's last words, directed to me, and me alone, held the same beauty and truth as any Shakespeare could have written. It was all the affirmation I could have dreamed of, and I allowed him now to embrace me warmly, even in that coldly enclosed study. Yes, Captain Denny did love me. Every doubt that I could ever have formed in my ignorance were lifted, banished, non-existent.
We withdrew from each other reluctantly, but with our arms still entwined, we looked at Fitz, expecting him to wear an expression of contempt. Instead, he beamed at us, as I had never seen him beam before.
"You have my blessing, Captain Denny," he said, his words losing all the rigidity that it had previously adopted.
Captain Denny and I stared back at him, not knowing whether to believe what he had just said, or whether to thank him. It was while we tried to comprehend him that the door behind Fitz opened, and Elizabeth crept in, her son nestled in her arms. The captain and I continued to look in astonishment as Elizabeth whispered something in her husband's ear and kissed him as she saw him nod.
"Well, you must be wondering at this unique display," said Elizabeth at last, smiling at us. "Let me be the first to congratulate you both on your engagement. I know that you are worthy of one another, and that your happiness might even exceed ours." She laughed as she saw as look back and forth between her and her strangely blithe husband.
"Mrs. Darcy-" began Captain Denny.
"Before you say another word, Captain," said Elizabeth immediately, "You must both allow me to apologize. It was I who planned this entire scheme. I was the one who advised Fitzwilliam to lie to Viola, to tell her that she was not his sister."
Captain Denny and I exchanged looks of amazement and comprehension.
Elizabeth sat down. "You see, when Fitzwilliam received your letter, we were delighted. I was delighted, for I had known nothing ill of you. Likewise, Fitzwilliam had only heard the good of you, through his cousin, the colonel. We remembered that you had been one of the ones who gave the indication, at the time of my sister Lydia's elopement, that perhaps Mr. Wickham had no intention of marrying. Your good service rendered for us, we had no cause to distrust you. But at the remembrance of Mr. Wickham-" and here, Elizabeth eyed Fitz, entreating him to continue.
"At the remembrance of Mr. Wickham," said Fitz, placing a hand over his wife's shoulder, "We remembered that you, Captain Denny, were once associated as a friend of the dissolute man. I had also received a strange epistle from my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, warning me that I would be wise to put on my guard against you. I have no good will towards Lady Catherine, but her words were not without a basis. I did fear that if one influential woman of society were able to form such an opinion, others may also follow suit. Already, Miss Bingley had taken up the same notion. I was afraid that after a while, my sister might be influenced by such thoughts, and begin to have doubts."
He looked lovingly at Elizabeth and continued. "When I confided this to Elizabeth, she arrived at the idea of misleading you, making you think that Viola was not my sister, and therefore, penniless. We had so little time before you arrived, so we began the plan immediately. If Captain Denny was truly as honourable in his intentions as Colonel Fitzwilliam assured me they were, then he should not be affected by it at all. In fact, my tone and my words should do nothing but to insult him. (If they did not, and Captain Denny abandoned Viola because she had no dowry, then at least I would have saved my sister though I break her heart.) This afternoon, I saw that my words did insult and anger Captain Denny. In other words, Captain Denny passed the test we put towards him, but it was a test that I had always felt he would pass. However, as you must understand, it was necessary that Viola herself could also attend, so that she may never need to doubt the sincerity of her future husband."
Fitz came up to me, and taking my hand, he said warmly, "I am sorry I lied to you, Viola. It was a dishonourable thing to do, but at the same time, the cause for it had begun in honour. You are most undoubtedly a Darcy by blood. You are most undoubtedly my sister. You are not and never was the natural daughter of a maidservant. You are, and have always been, the natural daughter of Lady Anne Darcy." And so saying, he placed my hand in Captain Denny's. Smiling upon his wife, Fitz departed with Elizabeth and their baby, leaving the captain and I in peace.
One need not guess what followed afterwards. My own dear Denny and I contentedly announced our engagement to all of Pemberley. Mr. Bingley and Jane were delighted, Mrs. Bennet was surprised, and Caroline Bingley was silenced. Fitz, the proud brother-yes, he was truly, and honestly my brother-he did not fail to narrate the trick he had played upon us, after which, Georgiana and Kitty both congratulated me heartily for my good fortune. Mr. Bennet did not try, as he might usually have done, to say anything witty. He only nodded his head in silent approval; perhaps he was tired.
His daughter, Mary, on the other hand, took pains to remind me most solemnly of the obligations I must bear towards my husband, "You must always seek to his comfort," she said gravely. "It is a wife's duty to please her husband, for in essence, he is now her master."
"That will certainly not be the case with us," said Denny, kissing my hand. "I beg to contradict you, Miss Bennet. Our union will not be about who is the master, and who is the submissive. As a soldier, I thank the good Lord that I know what I owe to my lady; and as a man, I thank the example my Uncle and Aunt Quarrie set before me-I shall always know how to cherish and love my wife."
Before I close, I shall turn no more towards Mary's philosophy, nor of the others things Denny said to me-the latter, as I do not doubt I have mentioned before, are much too sacred to sully in print. Instead, I turn to the occasion of one evening soon after our engagement was announced.
Colonel Fitzwilliam nudged me with his elbow as I listened to Denny and Fitz skirmish about in a good-natured argument over books.
"You see," he whispered, "I was always right, wasn't I?"
"What do you mean?" I asked, not choosing to understand him.
"Didn't I always tell you that you and Captain Denny were meant to be?"
I pretended to be offended. "Oh, let off with your matchmaking business, cousin," I rebuked him. "I thought I told you that before."
Colonel Fitzwilliam silenced himself, but did not wipe the grin from his face. Well, I did not try to make him remove his grin. It would have been an unpardonable conduct on my part, for I acknowledged that, without Colonel Fitzwilliam's schemes for bringing Denny and me together during my brother's wedding so long ago, Denny and I may never have met again-We owed that much to Colonel Fitzwilliam. Could I possibly take away that triumph away from my cousin then? Could I deny him his credit and his share of this miracle?
I dare to defy those who answer Yes.
Author's Notes: It's been difficult trying to write this story, and I apologize if there has been one too many discrepancies throughout. Despite the constant blocks that I came across, I did enjoy myself. More than anything else, the credit for The Other Miss Darcy must go to the genius of Jane Austen (particularly for her novels P&P, Emma, Persuasion, and MP); the image of the character Denny (who was really only a lieutenant in P&P); the patience of the DWG, my editor and archivist; and most of all, my readers, who lavished me with their time, their continuous support and their comments. Thank you again and again for providing me with your encouragement.
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